SQL Server query count of the minimum value for distinct names in a table

Question

I have the following result from a query and i want to make a subquery that counts the number of the minimum value in each name.

For example:

Marcus 25  
Marcus 27  
Marcus 25  
Jonathan 36  
Jonathan 36  
Jonathan 36  
Jonathan 38  

And the result should be :

Marcus 25 2
Jonathan 36 3

Any ideas?

Answer 1

One method uses window functions:

select t.name, count(*)
from (select t.*,
             rank() over (partition by name order by val) as seqnum
      from t
     ) t
where seqnum = 1;

EDIT:

Oh, the OP also wants the value:

select t.*
from (select t.name, t.val, count(*) as cnt,
             row_number() over (partition by name order by val) as seqnum
      from t
      group by t.name, t.val
     ) t
where seqnum = 1;